The Runner's Exchange

Cheltenham, England Mile, 3k, 5k, and XC Runner Runner Spotlight For some, running is a hobby. For Kaitlyn Sheppard’s parents, it was more than that—it was a passion. Naturally, they took her to the local running club, hoping she’d follow in their footsteps. But Kaitlyn? She wasn’t convinced. Long jump, gymnastics—anything but running. Eventually, her mum gave her an ultimatum: pick a sport. Thinking track might be the easier option, she stuck with it. Then, something clicked. One good race turned into motivation. Motivation turned into progress. Progress turned into what we see now: one of Bradley University’s top distance runners, competing at her best level yet. With two new PRs, a 3rd place finish at the MVC Cross Country Championships, and a promising indoor and outdoor season ahead, Kaitlyn isn’t just following in her parents' footsteps anymore—she’s carving her own path. Favorite Running Spot American Tobacco Trail (NC) Favorite Running Shoe Kaitlyn first turned to the Sauco...

Mautern (AUSTRIA) 3k, 5k and XC runner   Runner Spotlight Sonja’s journey to running wasn’t planned—it just fell into place. She tried acrobatic gymnastics as a kid but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. Then, by chance, running entered her life. A friend’s father, a passionate hobby runner, invited her to join their runs to encourage his daughter to enjoy the sport. The daughter quit soon after, but Sonja found something she truly loved. Her big break came unexpectedly. There was a high school for elite athletes about 30 km from her hometown, but since she wasn’t part of a club or competing in major races, it seemed out of reach. Still, her dad encouraged her to attend their open day just to experience it. She had fun, enjoyed the test runs, and thought nothing more of it—until a week later, she got a life-changing call. Jennifer Wenth, an Olympian and coach at the school, had seen her potential. She had already spoken to the athletics association and wanted Sonja on board. Tha...

  Erba (ITALY)  1500m, 800m and XC runner Runner Spotlight Sometimes, running doesn’t click right away. This week’s spotlight runner first tried cross-country at age 11—and won her very first race! But even with such a strong start, she wasn’t sold on the sport. Instead, she stayed busy with swimming, volleyball, and the occasional run. It wasn’t until her volleyball coach pointed out how talented Alice was and encouraged her to give running another shot that everything changed. That little nudge was all it took. Now, years later, here she is—dedicated, accomplished, and thriving in this beautiful sport that has become such a big part of her life. Favorite Running Spot Lago del Segrino (Lombardia) Favorite Running Shoe Finding the right running shoe is a game-changer. For her, that’s the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 . What she loves most? They keep her injury-free and absorb impact really well , so every step feels smooth and supported. No unnecessary strain, just reliable cushioning ...

Júlia de la Piedra Sitjas (Catalonia, SPAIN) 1500m, 800m and XC runner Runner Spotlight Growing up in Spain, I was lucky to have an active childhood surrounded by nature and sports. My father played a big role in shaping that lifestyle, always inspiring my siblings and me to stay active and enjoy outdoors. I officially started track and field at 10 years old, and I haven't looked back since! Now, as an international student-athlete at Bradley University, running continues to be a huge part of who I am. Favorite Running Spot             American Tobacco Trail ( NC) Favorite Running Shoe Shoes are such a personal choice for every runner, often reflecting your unique journey, personality, and the miles that define you. In my case, that journey began with Asics. After trying a range of shoes, I've found that nothing beats the Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit for me. The design alone motivated me from the moment they were released, and they feel like the pe...